Attitudes Toward Rape - Feminist and Social Psychological Perspectives

This innovative book looks at popular perceptions of sexual violence and asks such key questions as: How is `rape' defined? Who is responsible for sexual assault? How can rape be prevented?

The author critically examines feminist and psychological theory and research on attitudes towards rape. Drawing on case studies, survey research, experiments, fieldwork and action-oriented research from Europe, North America and Asia, Ward combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to understanding sexual violence. She highlights the negative consequences for rape victims of biased and prejudicial perceptions of sexual violence, including those of legal, medical and helping professionals, and discusses the impact of these attitudes on victims' self-perceptions.

The book concludes by suggesting strategies for changing ideas about sexual assault, including, for example, action-oriented research which is designed to raise consciousness and improve services for victims.

List of contents

Introduction
PART ONE: A CIRCLE IN THE MAKING
Feminist Visions
Attitudes toward Rape and Rape Victims
Survey Research
Rape Perceptions and Attributions
Experimental Research
Social and Institutional Responses to Rape
Field Research
Returning to the Victim
Theory and Research on Psychological Reactions to Sexual Violence
PART TWO: A CIRCLE IN THE BREAKING
Changing Attitudes
Changing Systems
Feminist Action-Oriented Research
Conclusion

About the author

Colleen A Ward is a senior lecturer in the Department of Social Work and Psychology at the National University of Singapore.

Summary

A study of the popular perceptions about sexual violence. This text examines issues such as: how rape is defined; who is seen as responsible for sexual assault; and how rape can be prevented.

Product details

• Authors: Colleen Ward, Colleen A. Ward, Colleen A. A. Ward, Ward Colleen A.
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 22.06.1995
• EAN: 9780803985933
• ISBN: 978-0-8039-8593-3
• No. of pages: 240
• Series: Gender and Psychology; Gender and Psychology Series; Gender and Psychology
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Social education, social work; Social sciences, law, business > Law > Criminal law, criminal procedural law, criminology; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sexual Abuse & Harassment, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Criminology, Sexual abuse & harassment, Sexual abuse and harassment, Crime and criminology, Crime & criminology, Domestic Violence;Psychology of Women